Gen Con Groundless Speculation Thread!

[spamhammer]

in a recent interview with Giant Fire Breathing Robot, Erik Mona made a passing reference to a big announcement at Gen Con.

Let the rumors begin! I'm guessing they're announcing a high-level module that breaks the 32-page format, something like Red Hand of Doom.

[Mark Moreland]

I'm guessing the announcement will be that all Paizo employees get a month-long, all expenses paid trip to Tahiti and overtime rate for all days spent out of the office on such a sabbatical.

What?

[Word-Twisting Rumormonger]

In order to more efficiently compete with Hasbro/Wizards of the Coast, Paizo is merging with Wham-O Inc. Expect to see Pathfinder Frisbees, Hula Hoops and Slip 'N' Slides in toy stores by Christmas.

[Justin Franklin]

Compiled Rise of the Runelords, and something to do with one of the planets.

[Liz Courts]

Mark Moreland wrote:

I'm guessing the announcement will be that all Paizo employees get a month-long, all expenses paid trip to Tahiti and overtime rate for all days spent out of the office on such a sabbatical.

What?

Woo-hoo!

[Crystal Frasier]

Liz Courts wrote:

Mark Moreland wrote:

I'm guessing the announcement will be that all Paizo employees get a month-long, all expenses paid trip to Tahiti and overtime rate for all days spent out of the office on such a sabbatical.

What?

Woo-hoo!

Seconded!

[Dungeon Grrrl]

Does it have to be totally groundless? :)

So, Monte cook has gone out to Seattle a couple of times this year.

D&D is clearly not gaining ground as WotC would hope.

Mike Mearls just posted this on Twitter: (Mike) There's a GIANT @Gen_Con meeting happening right now. A "who's who" of #dnd superstars. We're talking about [REDACTED]. #dndgencon

I predict: An announcement of D&D 5e, co-written by Monte and Mike (who have worked together before, back when Mike worked at Malhavoc). Or at least, a new "Essentials" incorporating core book set, which is officially just "D&D 4e Clarified" despite actually being another .5 edition change.

[JoelF847]

Dungeon Grrrl wrote:

Does it have to be totally groundless? :)

So, Monte cook has gone out to Seattle a couple of times this year.

D&D is clearly not gaining ground as WotC would hope.

Mike Mearls just posted this on Twitter: (Mike) There's a GIANT @Gen_Con meeting happening right now. A "who's who" of #dnd superstars. We're talking about [REDACTED]. #dndgencon

I predict: An announcement of D&D 5e, co-written by Monte and Mike (who have worked together before, back when Mike worked at Malhavoc). Or at least, a new "Essentials" incorporating core book set, which is officially just "D&D 4e Clarified" despite actually being another .5 edition change.

Considering that Monte did Dungeon a Day using 3.5 rather than 4E, and had some Pathfinder support for it early with Jason B guest blogging about conversions, I don't get the impression that Monte has any interest with D&D 4E or future editions at this point.

[Enlight_Bystand]

Justin Franklin wrote:

Compiled Rise of the Runelords, and something to do with one of the planets.

We asked for groundless specualtion, not the stuff that there's vague evidence for floating around...

[Vic Wertz]

Dungeon Grrrl wrote:

Does it have to be totally groundless? :)

So, Monte cook has gone out to Seattle a couple of times this year.

D&D is clearly not gaining ground as WotC would hope.

Mike Mearls just posted this on Twitter: (Mike) There's a GIANT @Gen_Con meeting happening right now. A "who's who" of #dnd superstars. We're talking about [REDACTED]. #dndgencon

I predict: An announcement of D&D 5e, co-written by Monte and Mike (who have worked together before, back when Mike worked at Malhavoc). Or at least, a new "Essentials" incorporating core book set, which is officially just "D&D 4e Clarified" despite actually being another .5 edition change.

I can promise you that Paizo is not announcing D&D 5th Edition at Gen Con.

[Justin Franklin]

Enlight_Bystand wrote:

Justin Franklin wrote:

Compiled Rise of the Runelords, and something to do with one of the planets.

We asked for groundless specualtion, not the stuff that there's vague evidence for floating around...

Just getting it on record.

[Scott Betts]

Vic Wertz wrote:

I can promise you that Paizo is not announcing D&D 5th Edition at Gen Con.

You heard it here first, folks! Paizo to announce D&D 5th Edition at PaizoCon 2012!

[Asgetrion]

Scott Betts wrote:

Vic Wertz wrote:

I can promise you that Paizo is not announcing D&D 5th Edition at Gen Con.

You heard it here first, folks! Paizo to announce D&D 5th Edition at PaizoCon 2012!

Bah! After he has drunk enough Koskenkorva, Erik is going to announce it at Ropecon on saturday... ;)

[Scott Betts]

Asgetrion wrote:

Scott Betts wrote:

Vic Wertz wrote:

I can promise you that Paizo is not announcing D&D 5th Edition at Gen Con.

You heard it here first, folks! Paizo to announce D&D 5th Edition at PaizoCon 2012!

Bah! After he has drunk enough Koskenkorva, Erik is going to announce it at Ropecon on saturday... ;)

If that doesn't work out for you, I will happily accept a plane ticket, lodging, and con admission so that you can pour Koskenkorva down my throat and force me to announce D&D 5th Edition!

Disclaimer: Veracity of Scott's announcement not guaranteed.

[KestlerGunner]

An unveiling of the Gate that'll take everyone to ACTUAL GOLARION.

[Scott Betts]

KestlerGunner wrote:

An unveiling of the Gate that'll take everyone to ACTUAL GOLARION.

On the other hand, it opens up into the middle of Galt, so no one uses it.

[Cosmo]

Scott Betts wrote:

KestlerGunner wrote:

An unveiling of the Gate that'll take everyone to ACTUAL GOLARION.

On the other hand, it opens up into the middle of Galt, so no one uses it.

Now, now... this isn't that thread. ;)

[Reckless]

So... any murmurings of when this exciting announcement will take place(for those of us lucky enough to be attending GC this year?)

[jreyst]

Yeah I'll be at Gencon... but where and when do these amazing announcements generally happen? Want to make sure I'm somewhere in the vicinity at the time!

[NotMousse]

Paizo will announce that the Alchemist was actually a spectacularly successful April Fool's Day prank, and release the actual Alchemist that doesn't rely on a load of Su abilities (and isn't broken).

[Navior]

I've heard (through secret sources that must not be named) that the 5th Edition announcement will come about 1 hour before opening. They want to make certain that the staff has enough time to get safely out of the building before the next edition war starts.

[Vic Wertz]

We'll be making a bunch of announcements, really. You'll want to attend the following seminars:

Thursday: APs, Modules & More
Friday: Secrets of Golarion
Saturday: Future of Paizo (and if you only go to one seminar, make it this one)
Saturday: Paizo Fiction
Saturday: Pathfinder RPG Q&A

There's also a possibility that one of the biggest announcements may actually happen just *prior* to Gen Con; we're still nailing things down.

[Reckless]

Vic Wertz wrote:

Saturday: Future of Paizo (and if you only go to one seminar, make it this one)

The one that's already sold out. Figures. Guess I'll hover outside the door.

[deinol]

Reckless wrote:

Vic Wertz wrote:

Saturday: Future of Paizo (and if you only go to one seminar, make it this one)

The one that's already sold out. Figures. Guess I'll hover outside the door.

My plan is to hover on twitter. So those of you who go to Gen Con, tweet the good stuff!

[Scott Betts]

Cosmo wrote:

Scott Betts wrote:

KestlerGunner wrote:

An unveiling of the Gate that'll take everyone to ACTUAL GOLARION.

On the other hand, it opens up into the middle of Galt, so no one uses it.

Now, now... this isn't that thread. ;)

A thread about taking someone's fondest desire and utterly ruining it for them?

I'm on it.

[Mark Moreland]

Vic Wertz wrote:

There's also a possibility that one of the biggest announcements may actually happen just *prior* to Gen Con; we're still nailing things down.

Now even I'm curious!

crosses fingers on the Tahitian vacation

[Adam Daigle]

deinol wrote:

Reckless wrote:

Vic Wertz wrote:

Saturday: Future of Paizo (and if you only go to one seminar, make it this one)

The one that's already sold out. Figures. Guess I'll hover outside the door.

My plan is to hover on twitter. So those of you who go to Gen Con, tweet the good stuff!

That's my preferred method these days, so I'll do my best to report.

[the Haunted Jester]

For those of us who cannot attend GenCon this year, will the site be updated on the day of the announcements being made?

[Aaron Bitman]

Scott Betts wrote:

KestlerGunner wrote:

An unveiling of the Gate that'll take everyone to ACTUAL GOLARION.

On the other hand, it opens up into the middle of Galt, so no one uses it.

Actually, it opens into Irrisen. There's a prophecy about that...

[Aaron Bitman]

No, I take that back. It DOES open into Galt, and a mysterious masked figure has been using it to smuggle people out.

[JollyRoger]

Scott Betts wrote:

Vic Wertz wrote:

I can promise you that Paizo is not announcing D&D 5th Edition at Gen Con.

You heard it here first, folks! Paizo to announce D&D 5th Edition at PaizoCon 2012!

Thanks a lot. I just spit coffee all over my monitor.

[hogarth]

Mark Moreland wrote:

Vic Wertz wrote:

There's also a possibility that one of the biggest announcements may actually happen just *prior* to Gen Con; we're still nailing things down.

Now even I'm curious!

crosses fingers on the Tahitian vacation

Here's a hint: Have you noticed that Vic's stomach is growing and he's sometimes queasy in the morning?

[Marc Radle]

Adam Daigle wrote:

deinol wrote:

Reckless wrote:

Vic Wertz wrote:

Saturday: Future of Paizo (and if you only go to one seminar, make it this one)

The one that's already sold out. Figures. Guess I'll hover outside the door.

My plan is to hover on twitter. So those of you who go to Gen Con, tweet the good stuff!

That's my preferred method these days, so I'll do my best to report.

For those of us that don't Twitter, please report here on the Paizo message boards as well! :)

[Lord Fyre]

Vic Wertz wrote:

We'll be making a bunch of announcements, really. You'll want to attend the following seminars:

Saturday: Future of Paizo (and if you only go to one seminar, make it this one)

Then it must be true!

Someone did meet Lisa Stevens's price, and she is buying her privite island!

[Aaron Bitman]

JollyRoger wrote:

I just spit coffee all over my monitor.

The last time I did that, I soon found my computer working faster than ever before.

[cibet44]

Well, lets see, with the beginner box confirmed, the AP after Jade Regent confirmed, the miniatures stuff confirmed, the next up pathfinder fiction confirmed, the list of at least some upcoming hardcovers confirmed, I'm not sure what else can fit into the schedule.

I don't think Paizo would use GenCon to announce things that were not due for completion for several years yet, that would would be pretty hard core speculation. I don't think they would announce something like a Pathfinder CRPG unless it were only weeks away from release, which just doesn't seem possible.

One thing I have noticed is that Paizo seems to be releasing basically all the stuff you would expect to be released for a new version of D&D. They got the core books out, additional monster books, adventures, supplemental rule books and players options, a starter box set, miniatures, a fiction line, a culturally themed supplement (oriental of course). Pretty much all the the things you would expect from a new version of D&D. So if past behavior predicts future for Paizo I would expect any new announcements to cover product the game has had in the past but doesn't have a PF version of.

Some guesswork:
- Climate specific rule book(s)
- Ship and sea rule book
- Non prime material plane/planet setting or adventure
- High level play rules (with a scheduled beta test period)
- Non-fantasy based setting or non-fantasy based PF game
- I would have psionic rules at the top of this list because it follows the pattern but Paizo folks have been pretty adamant that they are not going to do psionics any time soon.

[Justin Franklin]

I believe the will announce the new AP where Cthulu returns to Golarion and destroys it.

[Set]

At the American Eagle fire sale, Lisa picked up a few crates of Dragon Dice, and has mandated that they be incorporated into all PFS games.

Every Pathfinder Society scenario will have at least one challenge encounter that can only be overcome by the use of Dragon Dice! Special challenge rewards will be available to characters able to beat these challenges, and can be gotten no other way!

Additionally, the Item Mastery Cards will be required as well. To have any item of masterwork, alchemical or magical gear on your character, you must possess the matching Item Mastery Card, and be able to show it at the table.

PFS players will also be barcoded with their PFS member number and character statistics, for their convenience (never worry about leaving your card at home! Or even your character sheet!).

By a branding iron.

[jreyst]

I'd like to see 6 AP issues dedicated to fully detailing a megadungeon. Something like...

Player's Guide with various dungeon-crawling feats or traits.

Issue 1: Surrounding community and levels 1-2 of dungeon.
Issue 2: Levels 3-4
Issue 3: Levels 5-6
Issue 4: Levels 7-8
Issue 5: Level 9
Issue 6: Level 10

Leave it intentionally open-ended and sandbox-ish.

[Dragnmoon]

Paizo will announce that a Movie will be made based on the Shining Crusade, directed by Uwe Boll. In a twist of faith, a Video game will be made based on the movie, Developed by BioWare.

[Vic Wertz]

Set wrote:

At the American Eagle fire sale, Lisa picked up a few crates of Dragon Dice, and has mandated that they be incorporated into all PFS games.

I categorically deny this.

I have no comment regarding Spellfire cards at this time, though.

[John Kretzer]

spamhammer wrote:

in a recent interview with Giant Fire Breathing Robot, Erik Mona made a passing reference to a big announcement at Gen Con.

Let the rumors begin! I'm guessing they're announcing a high-level module that breaks the 32-page format, something like Red Hand of Doom.

Well it is groundless....so....Pathfinder 2nd ed will be announced at GenCon.

Though I think maybe a new line of PF might be announced....sorta of a Mechanics of Golarion(though I hope not that name) something that things like the upcoming Inner Sea magic book might fit better in.

Or it could be that they have brought the rights to D&D RPG...

or that the PF minis line has been appoved in partnership w/ Whizkids

Or that Pazio is really run my evil alien overminds who want to enslave the geek and slave population of the world...

or maybe that Pathfinder is converting to 4th ed D&D...or was that 1st ed D&D...

Is that enough groundless idel speculation for evrybody?

[Zonto]

Vic Wertz wrote:

Set wrote:

At the American Eagle fire sale, Lisa picked up a few crates of Dragon Dice, and has mandated that they be incorporated into all PFS games.

I categorically deny this.

I have no comment regarding Spellfire cards at this time, though.

I miss Spellfire :(

[Joe the Diviner]

jreyst wrote:

I'd like to see 6 AP issues dedicated to fully detailing a megadungeon. Something like...

Player's Guide with various dungeon-crawling feats or traits.

Issue 1: Surrounding community and levels 1-2 of dungeon.
Issue 2: Levels 3-4
Issue 3: Levels 5-6
Issue 4: Levels 7-8
Issue 5: Level 9
Issue 6: Level 10

Leave it intentionally open-ended and sandbox-ish.

This is good, but the vision is slightly off

So here is the real deal at what is going to be annouced at Gen Con

I see a new super AP coming out...in the future.

It gets foggy here...an AP called Dungeonmaker.
The focus of the AP is to conquer various dungeons and then at the end (the Mega-Dungeon) each player takes on various important roles in said Dungeon. Very sand-boxy and cool.

So you can set out as heroes but you end up as important parts of the Dungeon.

Possible endgame roles for the AP are:

Stoic Dwarf Something = Reinforced (but Ruined) Door -roll to open
Wizard = The Ruined Table (etched with Runes)
Cleric = Ruined Water Closet
Rogue = The Falling (Ruined) Curtain
Fighter = 10 ft Pit (not covered)
Druid = Ruined patch of Dungeon Mold
Monk = The Forgotten and Ruined Altar
Ranger = Surface Ruins and rubble

Yes, this is what I see....outlook good for Gen Con

I could be wrong though.

Personally I would prefer a module based off of Glengarry Glen Ross ("Oh Yeah. I used to be an Adventurer....It's a tough racket"), but I think I may have to write that one myself.

[deinol]

My guess is they will announce next year's GenCon release. Since we are doing groundless speculation, my guess is Mythic Adventures, bringing levels 20-30 to Pathfinder.

[Herbo]

Star Wars, and since Paizo has had the license since December 2010 they'll probably have some shockingly awesome release (even if its minis or card games which the license also includes) by X-mas.

They have us all looking toward the Pathfinder Beginner Box and then plan to Kansas City Shuffle us with a whole new line of Pathfinder books in a galaxy far far away.

Now who is going to write the first Star Wars adventure path?

[TwoWolves]

Zonto wrote:

Vic Wertz wrote:

Set wrote:

At the American Eagle fire sale, Lisa picked up a few crates of Dragon Dice, and has mandated that they be incorporated into all PFS games.

I categorically deny this.

I have no comment regarding Spellfire cards at this time, though.

I miss Spellfire :(

Aim more carefully.

With a flamethrower.

[Coltaine]

Paizo announces purchase of gencon,
Monte Cook joins Paizo.
Paizo acquires online tabletop company with organized play now available through this platform
Paizo announces that they acquired the starwars license
Lisa announces that she has added george lucas to her star wars collection

[Oguleth]

I was about to make a gigantic post about groundless theories about possible licences (Star Wars, Mass Effect, WHFRP, Malazan, Død Snø) - but why would that be even remotely sensible with the creative talent around, being restrained (constrained? ugh, sometimes I hate english...) by someone else's IP? (See: BioWare)

That being said, a Star Wars game fueled by Adventure Paths would be rather...hey, where did my wallet go?

[thunderspirit]

TwoWolves wrote:

Zonto wrote:

I miss Spellfire :(

Aim more carefully.

With a flamethrower.

Interestingly, the only thing I can think of off the top of my head that I miss less than Spellfire is my ex-wife.